BY JUDY CARMACK BROSS
Clear skies and cool breezes on a glorious Lake Forest evening encouraged guests, clad in seersucker and Ray-Bans, pearls and Lily Pulitzer, to mingle under the stars at the annual dinner dance of the Society of Colonial Warriors and the Colonial Dames of America on July 16. It was an evening Fitzgerald would have leapt at the chance to chronicle.
The efforts of Todd Schwebel, Warriors Social Chairman, and Liza Yntema, Dames Chair, resulted in record attendance. Warriors Governor, John Stothman, and former Dames President, Jean Perkins, welcomed guests, who dined on cauliflower coconut soup with lobster tail, New York strip loin with grilled cilantro lime marinated shrimp, and a warm fallen chocolate cake with raspberries.
Whether it was on the moonlit terrace or the dedicated dance floor, revelers tripped the light fantastic well into the next day. A final toast of bubbly in champagne coupes, which, according to legend, were modeled on the breast of Marie Antoinette, honored the legacy of the two hereditary societies. One guest reported:
“No zoning variances were requested – and none were granted – there was no need: we had “The Aldermen” on our side. Thankfully they are not actually elected officials, but a lively band all the rage in Lake Forest, who kept the Warriors and Dames (and their significant others) entertained that night – the veranda was hopping with some celebrants toasting 406 years of family roots on U.S. soil. It was a perfect 73-degree evening, complete with a beautiful sunset over the 18th fairway.”
Brian White, Warriors Deputy Governor, who is a member of roughly 20 different hereditary societies, commented:
“With the popularity of current TV shows like ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ and ‘ Finding Your Roots,’ as well as websites like Ancestry.com, there is so much interest in tracing your ancestry, and it is so much easier to do so. More and more younger members are joining societies because they appreciate and value our country’s history and their family’s relevance in the founding of America. Many want to pass along to their children a legacy of a researched, documented, and proven family tree.”
Guests included this celebration of history and family were Annie Hambleton, Peggy Snorf, Kipper Lance and Bud Hendrick, Suzanne and Grant McCullagh, Brian White and James Kinney, Oona Carroll, Liz and Jeff Sharp, Gabriela and Dwight Cleveland, Tom Veeder, Kate and Ed Ruthledge, Dana and John Strothman, Peter Mark, Lynn and Charlie Poekel with son William Poekel, Liza Yntema and Mark Ferguson, Todd Schwebel and William Beggs IV, Jetta and Dallas Boschen, Jeanne and Ed Lees, Gigi Harris, Doug Schmidt, Kurt Olson, Kimberly Orput, S.L. Vander Zanden, Liz and Doug Chalmers, Colleen and Bob Burell, Kelly Penny and Ed Lester, Amy Moses and Brian Kearns, Ellen and Trigg Waller, Laura and Jason Koh, Jean Perkins and Leland Hutchinson, Libbet and Tobin Richter, Bill Fox, Kathy Fox and Ray Drymalski, Kate Guistolise and Howell Browne, Ginny and Sam McTier, Cami and David Burgess, Judith and Lloyd Urban, Andrea and George Vincent, Eileen and Joe Scherberger, and Suzette and Stan Brading.
Dance Co-Chairs Liza Yntema, from The Colonial Dames, and Todd D. H. Schwebel, from The Colonial Warriors.
“The Gov” John H. Strothman with Sam McTier.
Cammie Burgess, Annie Hambleton, and Oona Carroll.
Deputy Governor General for the Illinois Society Robert Lee Burell with wife Colleen.
Bob Burell and Leland Hutchinson.
Kathleen Fox with son William Fox.
James M. Kinney and Deputy Governor Brian D. White.
